My Story
My Story
My Story
However, even though this sounds like a sad story, something amazing came out of it!
When I stopped sobbing like a baby, I went on Reddit and visited the stuttering
community page. I was touched by a comment that a user left about how they overcame
their stuttering by reading a book. Naturally, this piqued my interest, and I direct
messaged the user, asking which book helped them stop stuttering. The user replied,
suggesting I read "HOW TO STOP STUTTERING & LOVE SPEAKING" by the great
Lee Lovett. I immediately went on Amazon, purchased a copy, and began reading. I can
honestly say this book not only touched my heart but also my SOUL. The stories Lee
told about himself, other PWS, and especially the methods to defeat stuttering were
nothing short of remarkable. I finished reading the book in under 2-3 weeks because I
was at my wits' end with stuttering and wanted it out of my life completely. In the
beginning of joining this program, I would read 2-3 hours a day, practice crutches on
different pages, and, of course, do my daily mind training twice, sometimes even three
times a day. I would also consume as many coaching videos as time would allow.
Watching these coaching videos with the likes of Lee, Javi, Prathushua, etc., was
extremely beneficial to me. It feels like you're in your own one-on-one session with a
therapist. I find these videos to be helpful and informative, and that’s way more than I
can say about my own professional speech therapist.
Before discovering Lee’s books and WSSA, I was unsure about my purpose on this
earth. Initially, I believed it was to be a good son, older brother, grandson, cousin,
nephew, godfather, classmate, co-worker, friend, and even a stranger. Additionally, I
thought I was meant to be an avid football/soccer fan, as I once ate, slept, and breathed
the beautiful game. However, these thoughts have changed, and again, it's all thanks to
Lee’s books and the WSSA program. What Lee and others part of WSSA have created
is a heaven's paradise for stutterers! Only PWS can truly describe the mental barriers
they face on a daily basis with stuttering. Unfortunately, stuttering remains the only
disability that still gets made fun of by others, be it intentional or unintentional. I thought
I would have to live with mine forever until I found Lee’s God-sent novelty and program.
Initially, the only thing I wanted from this entire program was to change my status from
PWS to PWSS. While I did achieve that status in only two to three months after
diligently immersing myself in Lee’s methods, I've gained something even more
valuable from this whole process, and that’s daily mind training through positive
affirmations! Negative thoughts about stuttering cannot enter a stutterer’s already full
mind. We must override those thoughts with an ocean of positive affirmations. If results
aren’t achieved in rapid succession, don’t get discouraged. The goal of improved
speech lies in the sacrificial journey it took to get there, not in its final destination.
With that said, now I know what my sole purpose in life is, and that’s to help as many
PWS become PWSS. I’m all in on this great program Lee has created. I’ve literally
drank gallons and gallons of his own Kool-Aid and it has never tasted so sweeter!
During my first SAM talk, I expressed my desire to make WSSA my lifelong home and
possible livelihood, growing old while helping countless individuals. Fast forward seven
months later, and I am living that commitment. I have become a Certified Speech
Therapist for WSSA, helping many individuals during practice sessions, therapy
sessions, and even offering one on one free speech consultations. Currently, I have the
pleasure of working alongside another remarkable Lovett, Dean, in the process of
creating a mobile app to better serve stutterers. As a passionate advocate for WSSA, I
regularly reach out to numerous PWS through various social media platforms, urging
them to explore Lee’s books and program. Over the past year, I estimate having
reached out to 5,000-6,000 individuals, I even participated in six stuttering-related
podcasts. In these podcasts, I discuss my personal journey with stuttering and, most
importantly, how Lee’s books and videos have positively transformed my life. One of the
greatest honors to date was being featured on my favorite national syndicated morning
radio show, "Elvis Duran and the Morning Show," which is listened to weekly by 8
million individuals. During the show, I discussed the benefits I gained from reading Lee’s
books. It was surreal to hear the host of the show, whom I have been listening to for
years, complimenting how good my speech sounded and expressing gratitude for the
call.
There are approximately seventy to eighty million stutterers worldwide, and I genuinely
want to help them all in improving not only their speech but, most importantly, their
minds. It may seem like a daunting task, but history has shown us that it only takes one
person to make a substantial difference in this world. Overcoming stuttering will be a
significant achievement that will lead you down a path to even more great accolades. I'll
conclude this talk by saying to any current PWS here: if your patient and persistent
enough with yourself and diligently immerse yourself within all the amazing resources
WSSA provides, then one day you can join me and many other kindred spirits here and
be able to say that you too converted stuttering into the greatest blessing in your life.